Extra police rostered on to patrol Redcliffe Markets on Mother’s Day

Extra police have been rostered on to ensure the thousands of people expected to attend the reopening of a popular foreshore market on Sunday do the right thing – but they will not be the only ones watching.

Police, Moreton Bay Regional Council workers and Redcliffe Market staff will be on hand to ensure the thousands of people expected to attend the market’s reopening keep their 1.5m distance.

It follows thousands flocking to Redcliffe and surrounding foreshore areas last weekend.

Redcliffe Markets operator Goodwill Projects announced last week it planned to reopen on Mother’s Day.

Redcliffe Jetty on the first day of relaxed coronavirus restrictions on May 2, 2020. Picture: Renae Droop

The market attracts thousands of visitors normally and with COVID-19 restrictions easing to allow people to travel 50km from their homes organisers are predicting bumper crowds.

Special measures will be put in place including extra hand sanitising stations and barriers around stalls to help people keep their distance.

Moreton South Police Patrol Inspector Craig White said while some restrictions had been lifted people still had to stay 1.5m away from one another.

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“I am supportive of the markets getting back up and running,” Insp White said.

“If people co-operate and practice social distancing even more restrictions will be lifted and more events will be allowed.”

Based on the behaviour of people visiting Redcliffe last weekend, Insp White said people could certainly lift their game when it came to keeping 1.5m away from others.

“But we are doing better than some other areas and interstate,” he said.

“We will still have extra police out to patrol the market along with council and market staff.”

Insp White asked everyone to comply with any orders given.

“Fines will be a last resort, we would much rather people co-operate and follow any directions given,” he said.

As well as attending the market people are able to have a picnic with their household members or one other person, travel up to 50km for non-essential reasons and a family of five can visit another family of five.